IEBC Speaks on Claims of Foreigners Being Registered as Kenyan Voters

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed claims that foreigners are being registered as voters in Kenya. 

In a statement on Sunday, September 27, the Commission said it was concerned about what it described as misleading and unverified information being circulated through mainstream and social media platforms regarding its constitutional mandate and preparations for the upcoming General Election. 

"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) notes with grave concern the continuous dissemination of misleading and unverified information by sections of the media, groups and individuals, through mainstream and social media platforms, concerning its constitutional mandate and ongoing preparations for the upcoming General Election," the statement read.

The IEBC said some reports concerning the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise had been sensationalized, warning that such reporting could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

"In particular, the Commission has witnessed sensationalized reports and unsubstantiated stories regarding the Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which is being conducted across all the 290 constituencies throughout the entire Republic. Such reporting risks misleading the public and undermining confidence in the electoral process," the statement added.

The IEBC specifically addressed allegations involving electoral malpractice, illegal transfers of voters and the registration of foreigners, saying no credible evidence had been submitted to support the claims.

"The Commission reiterates that the stories on electoral malpractice or illegality relating to the registration of voters, illegal transfers of voters and alleged registration of foreigners as voters in Kenya and abroad remain unsubstantiated and untrue.

"To date no entity, organization, group or individual has submitted to the Commission any credible evidence supporting any such allegations of illegality and malpractice," the statement further read.

The IEBC, however, said it would act on any credible evidence presented and outlined possible consequences where wrongdoing is established.

"Where credible evidence is presented, the Commission shall take appropriate action including disciplinary action, investigation into criminal conduct and where culpability is established, criminal prosecution and punishment shall be undertaken in accordance with the laws of Kenya," the statement noted.

The IEBC also clarified that its constitutional mandate does not include issuing National Identity Cards or Kenyan passports, noting that those responsibilities belong to other government agencies.

"The IEBC wishes to clarify to the public that its constitutional mandate under Article 88 of the Constitution is limited to the registration of eligible Kenyan citizens who possess National Identity Cards (IDs) and valid passports and maintenance of the Register of Voters. In addition, IEBC does not issue National IDs or Kenyan passports.

"These functions fall within the mandate of the relevant State Agencies responsible for identification, citizenship and immigration," the statement read.

The electoral agency further rejected any suggestion linking it to the issuance of identification documents, describing such references as factually incorrect.

"Any association or references to IEBC in relation to issuance of IDs or passports is factually incorrect, malicious, intended to misinform and risks misleading the public regarding the respective mandates of the relevant State institutions," the statement added.

The IEBC said it had also established administrative and technological safeguards intended to protect the integrity of the voter registration process.

Among the measures outlined by the Commission is the restriction of KIEMS kits to authorized officers and gazetted registration centres. The kits are IEBC assets configured for operation by a Registration Officer.

The Commission said only a Registration Officer can delegate operationalization of a KIEMS kit to a Registration Clerk through a unique password. 

The Registration Clerk is subsequently mapped to an electoral area and trained under the supervision of the Registration Officer before deployment.

Operationally, the IEBC said voter registration is restricted to gazetted registration centres as part of the safeguards established around the exercise.

This comes weeks after the IEBC responded to a video circulating on social media alleging irregularities during a voter registration exercise at Kenyatta University.

In a statement on Thursday, September 10, the Commission said it was aware of the video and clarified the procedures governing continuous voter registration and voter transfer services.

"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is aware of a video clip circulating on social media regarding a voter registration exercise undertaken at Kenyatta University," the statement read.

IEBC said every eligible Kenyan citizen has a constitutional right to apply for registration as a voter and vote at a polling station of their choice.

It clarified that voter transfer services are currently available at IEBC constituency offices across the country and are not offered at other locations.

The commission further said it was conducting Continuous Voter Registration at all 290 IEBC constituency offices, Huduma Centres and the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.

IEBC explained that it can also deploy voter registration kits to strategic locations where necessary and based on operational considerations to reach eligible citizens, noting that this was what happened at Kenyatta University.

IEBC said it was investigating the allegations contained in the circulating video and would take action where necessary.

"The Commission has taken the allegations in the clip with the seriousness it deserves and it is currently working with relevant Government Agencies to take appropriate action in accordance with the law including making arrests where there is culpability," the statement added.

IEBC also called on members of the public to allow electoral officials to carry out their duties without interference as it continues with the voter registration exercise.